Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. How are you doing today. I am doing great. We were up a bit later than usual and Mr. Alvin got up at 4:00 which is his usual time. Outside for a pee, gave him his glucosamine chew and a pain pill. Then we hit the sofa for some more zzzz’s. Thankfully we have a super comfortable sofa. The grass was crunchy this morning but the air was not cool/cold. When we went out after Alvin had his breakfast about 6:45 – I could hear this meow meow and looked up and over to our neighbours and saw Mr. Humphrey balancing on three legs on his Mom’s deck railing. He does so well with three legs better than I do sometimes with two. Anyway, he was saying “Good Morning to me and Alvin.” We had a good day with Humphrey. I had to run over and grab some treats for him in the morning as I did not have any left. Not fair for Alvin to have some and him not. Fair is fair. I am all about that for sure. Alvin must be tired, I thought he was sleeping but when I turned around he was staring at me from his little bed in my upstairs office. I am glad that I switched my work space to downstairs. Just feels better. Upstairs is the quiet place and downstairs is where the work gets done. Well most of the time.

We enjoyed a walk after work instead of at noon. So nice out and ended up walking with one of our neighbours and her little dog. Great to catch up.

The countdown is beginning to get super serious here. TWO SLEEPS until HALLOWEEN, can you believe it? I am still undecided about whether to dress up or not for our “virtual work Halloween costume party.” Kind of leaning towards if it is just me and Alvin, then I will but if we have Teddy and Kobie, then not. Time will tell. I have dressed up most years, if my memory serves me. Anyway, I can always throw something together.

THEN SUNDAY …… Christmas TREE decorating time. House decorating time. My daughter is coming over to help. I am so excited. One of my most favourite days of the year. This year it may be brown but that is okay. I do not mind that at all.

Well life goes on and I need to get my coffee perking. Need COFFEE this morning. Happy Thursday.

I hope that we all learn to live our lives with an extra kindness and respect that heals our world and brings us to a better place, more peaceful.

I/We shall remain, As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well, good morning.

How are you doing today?

I am doing well.

Today is Thursday – which is great.

 

We finally were able to go for a walk last night.

A full walk.

It was so nice out.

Shortly after we left the house, like about 3 seconds, it began to snow.

Just a light snow but snowing all the same.

When we reached the park we bumped into a Mom and her Puppy.

Their names were Lori and Luna.

Luna is a labradoodle, about one year old pup.

Alvin and Luna did pretty well.

She wanted to play and Alvin not so much.

But there was only a couple of growls from Mr. Alvin.

Luna as with all young ones was full of energy.

She did well and listened to her Mom.

They just moved to our neighbourhood and I was happy that I was the WELCOME WAGON, so to speak.

We had a nice visit before heading onward.

Would be happy to see them again.

 

Last night I spoke to Humphrey’s Mom.

We had heard from them in at least two weeks, perhaps one of the longest periods of no communications.

She is in the throes of YEAR END and AUDITS and all things, financial at her place of employment.

So she has been working overtime even on the weekends.

We had a nice chat and when I found out that she had to go for a late curling game after the office, I asked if I could go and pick up Humphrey.

She said “he’s okay.”

I said that I would go and pick him up and bring him back here for a couple of hours or so.

Alvin and so happy to see Humphrey and I think Humphrey was happy to see us, too.

He did make his way upstairs and curled up on the spare room bed which I have now dubbed “Humphrey’s Room.”

What a guy!

We did miss him so much.

 

Humphrey is back and we are happy.

For some reason the other photos that I snapped of him did not upload/download.

But there the boy is in all his cuteness.

By the second photo you can see that I was fiddling about with the camera.

Oh well ….

 

Well time to hit the trail.

One last time outside for Mr.Alvin.

Time for me to don my outer apparel.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Treat yourself and others with Kindness and Respect.

That is the only way to live our lives.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

The sun is up.

The sky is blue.

I can hear the whir of traffic in the distance.

Alvin is sleeping on a blanket near me.

I feel refreshed after a nice shower.

Life is good on this Monday morning.

 

I think that it is safe to say that I love taking photos of Humphrey and the flowers and my backyard.

I do love to take photos of Mr. Alvin and Master Teddy.

Humphrey just seems to be so photogenic.

Always in the right place at the right time.

I am in awe of the purple flowers in the first photo.

Last year the plants were sparse and I think there may have been one flower all summer long.

This year, the plants seem to have spread and are so alive with beautiful pale purple flowers.

Flowers bring out the joy in me.

As to the fur-babies.

If you surround yourself with things that you love.

Life is good.

I filled six pots with flowers this year.

Two at the front and four at the back.

For the grand total of $25.18.

There has only been one spring/summer that I spent less.

Other years I have spent significantly more and although there were only double the amount of pots; this year feels like I have as many.

The plants in the back flower bed are doing crazy good.

The reddish purple shrub on the left side of the bed – is taller, fuller and brighter this year.

Perhaps it has been all of the rain as of late.

 

 

Speaking of Mr. Humphrey; I have to go as I have to run to his house and check on him before I leave for work.

Time flies when you are having fun.

Yesterday it was me, Alvin and Humphrey.

The boys relaxed in the house and also spent time outside.

They were my morale support as I cleaned my Humphrey’s Mom’s grass trimmer.

Well time now to go.

 

Happy Monday.

Take care, be kind and stay cool.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

We actually had sunshine, clear blue skies yesterday for the first time in days.

I hope that this means that the forest/wild fires to the north of Edmonton are perhaps lessened.

But more than likely it is because the wind changed.

Yesterday was quite warm.

I brought Humphrey the cat over to spend the day with me and Alvin.

Again they never cease to amaze me.

Sharing the space.

I felt bad taking Alvin for a walk last night as I know how much Humphrey likes to walk sniffing as he goes.

But he was in the backyard for time over the course of the day.

He is quite the cat.

We walked at 7:00 p.m. thinking it was cooler than earlier but only to find out it was still quite warm.

Thankfully I always carry Alvin’s special water bottle/dish with us.

We did not see the geese who were probably near or in the water keeping cool.

In between things yesterday I even left them for a short time while I headed to the grocery store.

Seemed strange but they did great.

 

Today is Sunday.

Love Sundays.

Pancake breakfast.

Oh, I forgot to grab the frozen blueberries out of the freezer.

Will have to do that right away.

Also going over to pick up Humphrey the Cat (have to make sure that he did his morning ritual before he comes over to spend the day).

Cinder the Gekko has to be fed.

I wished that I could bring her over to my house, too.

Also am going to give Alvin a trim and a bath.

That should be fun.

We always enjoy those, not.

 

Well in this very moment; I am gleefully happy.

Feel great.

Sitting at the computer clicking away on the keys while Alvin waits outside the office door.

Not sure why ….

I think he knows that his friend will be here shortly.

Spending the day with animals is wonderful.

They warm your heart.

 

Well time to go and look after my charges: Humphrey the Cat and Cinder the Gekko.

I love my life.

It would be great to be retired with no mortgage and spend my days writing stories and looking after our four-legged creatures.

Alvin, Teddy, Humphrey and Cinder.

Perhaps others from time to time.

 

Okay, Living … One day at a time …. you never know what will happen.

Does not hurt to look forward a bit as long as do not dwell.

 

Happy Sunday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 3rd day of May, 2019.

Wow, first weekend in May.

Guess what?    Woke up to bare ground.

The sky is overcast and sunrise not visible although it is light outside.

Not sunny, I guess you would say.

 

Alvin continues to remind me to live in the moment.

So last night  I mouthed the word T-R-E-A-T as I was standing looking out the kitchen window.

Alvin was in the backyard and saw me – he immediately ran to the house.

I did not utter a sound.

Amazing, right.

He had done this once before and I wanted to test him to see.

He can read lips.

What a guy!

He is such a food driven being …..

He loves to eat….

I guess he comes by that honestly …..

From spending years with me …..

I love to eat, too.

Anyway, I thought that I would share as it is a cute good positive story.

We need to hear more fun honest stories.

 

Oh, I see the clouds breaking up near the horizon – it can mean only one thing.

Making room for the SUN to shine on through.

YAY.

Doing the happy dance as we did not wake up to a blanket covering the ground.

 

Well I think this is the time for some cute photos.

I have posted these before …. but seriously we all need to see some cuteness.

A fond reminder to not notice what is in the background of “some” photos.

Laughing aloud.

Hope to make you giggle.

 

 

There should always be a FRUIT PIZZA in your future.

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

CUTENESS FOLLOWED by in a few weeks okay perhaps a one or two ……

VOILE

Flowers – cannot wait to do this shopping!!!

 

Well time get hit the road.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Remember only one way to live your life and that is “IN THE MOMENT.”

Be present, listen and aware of this second, this moment.

Happy Friday.

 

Special Hello to: YOU and YOU AND YOU.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 25th day of April, 2019.

Another glorious sunrise.

Oh, how I love the morning sky.

I also love my companion, my boy, my friend Alvin.

He is snuggled up on the blue blanket which is made extra soft by the green lap blanket that my Grandmother crocheted many years ago.

I was thinking as I was putting on my jewellery how blessed I am to have found Alvin.

Of course, like any relationship on the planet there are moments that my patience may be stretched just a tad but for the  most part we are like two peas in a pod.

More alike than not.

He has shown me that life goes on.

He has shown me forgiveness.

He has shown me sheer delight in just going out for a walk and being more in touch with nature.

He makes me feel like a million dollars every time that I open the front door.

Always excited to see me.

He has shown me that you can get VERY excited about food.

He never ceases to amaze me.

He has shown me that no matter your age you can always make a new friend.

Case in point ….. Humphrey the Cat.

He shows me all the time with his friend Teddy – how important it is to have friends.

So on this Thursday, I salute my four-legged crazy, loving, social butterfly Mr. Alvin …. Cheers my great friend.

I am so grateful to my kids for finding him for me and me for him.

 

Alvin, one of my babies

Posting this just because “ALVIN” is so cute here….

Me and Alvin

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

 

Feeling mighty blessed this bright sunshiny day.

Happy Thursday Mr. Alvin.

I hope that you all have a “Mr. Alvin” in your life.

He brings me great joy, companionship and curiosity.

Love you my boy.

 

Special Hello to:  Mr. Alvin ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 8th day of April, 2019.

I can see whispers of clear morning sky to the East as the SUN begins to rise.

I love sunrises.

So beautiful the way the sky changes from the deep dark night to the bright morning light.

The sky appears to be a canvas of brush strokes that have been smeared until there were light undertones.

If I look under the semi closed blind on my office window I can see that more of the night sky has begun to change.

Nature is so glorious.

Happy Monday morning.

 

Well here we are starting a new week.

Alvin and I enjoyed our weekend.

As you know Master Teddy slept over Friday night and went home late Saturday afternoon.

We walked on our own and also with Humphrey the Cat and his Mom.

I would not call it a walk as much as it was a sniff fest for Humphrey.

He looked so cute with his harness and leash.

Even children smiled and said “Oh, wow a cat on a leash.”

Humphrey has a good Momma.

Some folks just let their cats roam without a thought.

In this day and age that is not wise.

We had fun.

Going out with Humphrey is starting to give Alvin some patience, starting anyway.

Humphrey has a couple of favourite bushes that he loves to stop and explore.

Alvin just waits outside with the Moms.

Likely a good idea.

Humphrey seems to navigate the rose bushes but methinks that Mr. Alvin might end up covered with thorns.

Tonight Humphrey will be coming over as his Mom has her dance class.

 

This morning as I was sitting down at the computer and before I placed Mr. Alvin’s blue blanket on the floor beside me.

Alvin “whined.”

His way of telling me that he wants/needs the blanket.

I guess he figures when I sit down – down goes the blanket.

Sorry, buddy.

I am not fast enough.

 

Well almost time to go downstairs and grab the lunch etc.

I love that no boots, big mitts/gloves, heavy coat and scarf are required to go outside.

Just shoes and a light jacket.

YAY, SPRING.

I am so grateful that we have different seasons.

I also noticed in my little garden in the backyard that some of the plants are already up and green.

So happy about that.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful Monday.

Go outside, smell the fresh air and maybe go for a walk.

Enjoy NATURE.

Always a good way to start, take a break or end the day.

Maybe you are retired and can do all three.

I have started to go for a walk on my morning coffee break.

Feels so good.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are retired …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 31st day of March, 2019.

Today is the birthday of a long-time girl friend, Happy Birthday PB.

Alvin and I wish you a great day and year to come.

The sky is overcast this morning.

Sunday and the final day of March, 2019.

Where has or does the time go?

No one seems to know.

We only know that as we get older time seems to pass with lightning speed.

I just heard geese honking.

There must be some geese flying about in the sky somewhere close by.

 

Yesterday Master Teddy spent the day with us.

I thought that perhaps I would share some photos of the boys together

Also I moved up Alvin’s haircut and bath to yesterday.

Which was a good move on my part.

Teddy and Alvin and I went for a nice walk just over thirty minutes.

The boys had fun.

This photo was taken Friday night when Alvin had his paws curled around his favourite toy “duck.”

You can tell from this photo that Mr. Alvin needed a hair cut.

I do give him a hair cut on a regular basis but it grows so fast.

He needed the bath – even though I washed him down after our walks, his fur just looked grey.

Supper-time.

Each had their own bowl and they each ate at the same time.

Now Alvin did come and check out Teddy’s bowl when he was finished.

So cute.

Hungry boys

Alvin after his hair cut and bath in the above photo.

Look how white and he feels about 3 pounds lighter.

Also to mention his front paws are his “tender spot” and after likely about an hour on them, this was the best that I could do.

Oh well.

I will try and snip here and there with the scissors.

Out on the deck.

What a beautiful day.

Most of the snow has melted.

YAY …..

 

Well I guess time to get this show on the road.

Humphrey the Cat will be joining us around noon.

So I have some things to do before he arrives.

Perhaps go for a walk before then as well.

Wash floors and prepare for work week.

 

Happy Sunday.

Last day of March – cannot believe it.

I hope that you all have a great day.

 

Special Hello to:  all the women in my life …… you all rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  I watched SECOND ACT last night (rented from Telus) with Jennifer Lopez.  I quite enjoyed the movie.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of March, 2019.

WOW, almost the end of March, 2019.

Crazy.

Our weather has been quite nice.

It was beautiful when Alvin and I went for a walk last night.

We took a longer walk and enjoyed it immensely.

Still getting muddy and thankfully I remembered to have a wet towel at the front door.

Need more exercise we do.

Alvin will be having a bath and hair cut this weekend, likely Sunday.

 

Master Teddy joins us tomorrow for the day.

Alvin sure perked up when I told him last night.

He will be happy to have him with us again.

I was wondering last night why Alvin wanted to be outside on the deck so much.

The reason.

Mr. Humphrey was out on his deck.

Humphrey was telling him quite the story.

Alvin sure loves his friends.

We are so lucky to be surrounded by lovely creatures four-legged and two.

 

I am debating on whether I should go to the grocery store at lunchtime or go after work.

About the same distance to carry and walk.

Maybe at noon a bit further but not much.

I am out of ideas for lunch and do not wish to have a sandwich again.

Out of vegetables.

So likely will trod on over at lunchtime.

I am nearing the end of my toothpaste and completely out of dish soap.

So decision at lunchtime or after work?

I am catching the bus as my carpool took the afternoon off …..

I guess by the time I have to take lunch – I will have made a decision.

ARGH.

Somedays.

You know if that is the hardest decision that I have to make today – I will consider myself more than lucky.

 

I see 3.3 million dollars in my future.

Sharing the Lotto Max Jackpot with 14 of my coworkers.

Perfect beginning to the weekend.

YAY.

 

Well perfect sight …. listening to Alvin breathing as he rests on his blue blanket.

Oh, how I love that guy.

 

Well I guess it is time to go.

Time to go to work.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks who have a four-legged friend in their family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of March, 2019.

OFFICIAL first day of Spring.

YAY, we have spring.

Yesterday in Edmonton the temperature rose to plus 15 degrees celsius.

Like a summer day.

We are happy, happy.

Last night after work I received a phone call from our friend “P” who has the beautiful yard and garden.

My English (from England) friend.

They were just back from Hawaii last week.

She wanted to know if we wanted to walk with her and of course, I said “yes.”

We walked to the big lake and around it.

At one point we were about to cross the street and I stepped onto the snow patch and my foot was totally emerged in water.

What a great way to begin a walk with one wet foot.

Runner, sock and the foot WET.

It was so nice out, I shrugged it off and we continued.

Poor Mr. Alvin’s belly was so dirty …. and he was so wet.

We had a great chat as we walked.

She told me of the beautiful scenery on the island.

They also took in some high waves.

Apparently they were experience hurricane strength winds and the waves were incredible.

At a distance.

What a great way to begin the night.

AND then there was Humphrey.

He joined us …. I went and picked him up.

The boys are so cute.

Alvin wanted to play last night and brought out one of his toys.

So we had a bit of tug of war happening.

Humphrey likes his scratching board and lays on it.

They make me smile.

The ALOHA book was a gift from my friend P …. she thought I would like the flowers and it is something that I can use.

One quick story about the boys.

Humphrey had been outside.

I went to check and see if he wanted to come into the house.

Alvin decided to go back out.

They stood nose to nose.

Then Alvin turned around and faced me with his backside to Humphrey.

All of a sudden Humphrey gave him a gently nudge with his head.

Oh, if only I had a video ….

Cutest thing ever.

The boys then came into the house.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: all of my friends travelling …. looking forward to more stories.

Always, Carol & Alvin